Chrysanthemum plant named `Dark Ozenda`

ABSTRACT

A new variety of chrysanthemum producing red-purple flowers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a new and distinct variety ofchrysanthemum botanically classified as Dendranthema grandiflora. Thevarietial denomination of the new chrysanthemum is `Dark Ozenda`.

The new variety was discovered as a whole plant natural mutation of thevariety `Ozenda` (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,419) in Staden, Belgium. Thenew variety has been asexually reproduced by vegetative cuttings inVentura County, Calif. and the distinguishing characteristics areretained through successive generations of asexual reproduction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

`Dark Ozenda` is a chrysanthemum plant variety that produces red-purpledecorative-type flowers.

COMPARISON WITH PARENT

The new variety differs from its parent in having red-purple flowers.

BRIEF DECRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATION

The accompanying photograph shows a typical specimen of the new varietywith colors being as nearly true as possible with illustrations of thistype.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following description of the new variety is of specimens grown in agreenhouse in Ventura County, Calif. in the month of April. `DarkOzenda` has not been observed under all possible environmentalconditions. The phenotype may vary with variations in the environmentsuch as temperature, light intensity, day length and culturalconditions. The color designations herein are from The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart except where general terms are used.

To produce a commercial product the plants may be pinched once about tendays after planting. It has been observed that the shelf life of `DarkOzenda` is about 26 days with the response time of about 7 weeks. Nogrowth regulator is used with the plants described. Desirable growingconditions include average night temperatures of about 62°-64° F. andday temperatures of about 70°-75° F.

Plant:

Habit.--Herbaceous mounding perennial. Free branching.

Height.--About 28 cm.

Number of breaks from pinch.--About 4 to 5.

Length of lateral branches.--About 22 cm.

Stem color.--Near 138B.

Foliage:

Leaf arrangement.--Alternate.

Number of leaves per lateral branch.--10 fully expanded leaves.

Leaf size.--Length: About 6 cm. Width: About 3.3 cm.

Leaf shape.--Ovate.

Attachment.--Petioled.

Leaf apex.--Acute.

Base.--Tapered.

Margin.--Palmately lobed, infrequent serrations.

Aspect.--Slightly undulate.

Surface.--Top: Lightly pubescent. Bottom: Lightly pubescent.

Venation.--Mid vein prominent on underside. Mid Vein Color: Underside:Near 146C. Upperside: Near 137D.

Petiole.--Length: About 1.6 cm. Color: Near 137D.

Mature leaf color.--Top: Near 137A. Bottom: Near 137D.

Young leaf color.--Top: Near 137B. Bottom: Near 138B.

Flower:

Inflorescence form.--Cyme.

Flower form.--Decorative-type inflorescence with slight open center.

Number of blooms per branch.--About 11.

Diameter of fully expanded bloom.--About 3.8 cm.

Depth of fully expanded bloom.--About 1.5 cm.

Diameter of disc.--About 1.3 cm.

Sepal number.--About 25. Color: Near 137B. Length: About 0.9 cm.

Peduncle.--Length: Longest peduncles occur on the lowermost part of theinflorescence; these average about 5.5 cm; terminal peduncle isshortest, averaging about 2.8 cm. Aspect: Weak, slightly undulating.Surface: Pubescent. Color: Near 138B.

Flower bud (when just showing color).--Color: Near 63B. Diameter: About0.9 cm. Height: About 0.7 cm. Shape: Flattened spherical.

Ray florets.--Number per flower: About 120. Texture: Matte. Shape:Ovate. Apex: 3 obtuse lobes. Base: Truncate. Margin: Entire. Aspect:Slightly involute. Length: About 1.5 cm. Width: About 0.8 cm.

Disc florets.--Number per flower: About 10. Texture: Shiny. Shape:Cylindrical, fluted apex. Length: About 0.5 cm. Width: About 0.12 cm.

Fragrance.--Moderate.

Flower color:

General flower coloration.--Red-Purple.

Ray florets, top side.--Immature: Near 63B. Mature: Near 63A. Fading:Near 64C.

Ray floret, under side.--Immature: Near 64C. Mature: Near 64B. Fading:Near 64D.

Disc florets.--Immature: Near 2B. Mature: Near 13B. Fading: Near 4B.

Changes as the flower ages.--Color fades slightly.

Reproductive organs:

Ray florets.--Pistillate. Stigma shape: 2 branched. Stigma color: Near12A. Style length: About 0.4 cm. Style color: Near 4D.

Disc florets.--Stigma shape: Linear. Stigma color: Near 2C. StyleLength: About 0.3 cm. Style color: Near 2D. Stamen number: About 5.Anther length: About 0.2 cm. Pollen color: Near 15B. Pollen quantity:Moderate.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct chrysanthemum plant of thevariety substantially as herein shown and described.